Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
10:17
The Tail Suspension Test
Published on: January 28, 2012
80.5K
Tales of Tails
Christopher Essex1, Bjarne Andresen2
1Department of Mathematics, Middlesex College, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 16, 2023
Summary
For long timescales, fluctuating systems exhibit non-Gaussian distributions, challenging traditional statistical mechanics. These systems lack a global temperature, even with local thermal equilibrium.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Non-equilibrium Systems
Background:
- Traditional statistical mechanics assumes Gaussian distributions, where extreme events (tails) are negligible for averages.
- Long timescale (slow time) regimes and fluctuating local equilibrium systems deviate from this assumption.
- These systems exhibit non-Gaussian tails, necessitating a re-evaluation of standard thermodynamic concepts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implications of non-Gaussian tail behavior in fluctuating local equilibrium systems.
- To explain the observational challenges associated with these tail behaviors.
- To clarify the relationship between time-coarse graining and non-Gaussian distributions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fluctuating local equilibrium systems.
- Examination of probability density functions (PDFs) and their convolutions.
- Investigation of the impact of time-coarse graining on distribution tails.
Main Results:
- Fluctuating local equilibrium systems generate non-Gaussian distributions that do not support a global temperature.
- Observational challenges arise from the low probability but significant impact of tail behaviors.
- Time-coarse graining is directly linked to the convolution processes creating non-Gaussian behavior.
- Truncating the tails of the PDF exacerbates non-Gaussian characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Standard statistical mechanics is insufficient for describing long-timescale fluctuating systems.
- The concept of a global temperature is undefined in systems with fluctuating local thermodynamic equilibrium.
- Understanding non-Gaussian tail behavior is crucial for accurately modeling complex thermodynamic systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Torts II
660
Intentional torts in healthcare refer to deliberate actions that cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. Understanding these torts is crucial for healthcare professionals to avoid legal liabilities and maintain ethical standards in patient care.
660
01:14Torts I
1.2K
Torts in nursing are wrongful acts that can harm patients and potentially lead to civil liability for the involved nurse. These wrongful acts range from unintentional errors to deliberate actions. Depending on the nature and severity of the tort, a nurse found liable may face financial penalties or disciplinary actions. Understanding the distinctions between intentional, quasi-intentional, and unintentional torts is crucial for nurses to mitigate risks and provide safe patient care.
Intentional...
Intentional...
1.2K
01:26Torts III
710
Types of Quasi-intentional Torts in Healthcare
Quasi-intentional torts in healthcare involve acts where intent is not directed to harm an individual but results in harm due to careless or reckless speech.
Quasi-intentional torts in healthcare involve acts where intent is not directed to harm an individual but results in harm due to careless or reckless speech.
710
01:13Amnesia
168
Amnesia is a condition marked by long-term memory loss, which impairs the ability to recall past events or create new memories.
The severity and duration of memory loss vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Amnesia is classified into two main types: retrograde and anterograde.
Retrograde amnesia is marked by the loss of memories formed before the onset of the condition. Patients may recall distant past events but often forget those occurring shortly before the incident.
Anterograde...
The severity and duration of memory loss vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Amnesia is classified into two main types: retrograde and anterograde.
Retrograde amnesia is marked by the loss of memories formed before the onset of the condition. Patients may recall distant past events but often forget those occurring shortly before the incident.
Anterograde...
168
01:27Explicit Memories
165
Explicit memories, also known as declarative memories, are consciously remembered, recalled, and reported. Studying for a chemistry exam involves material that will become part of explicit memory. There are two types of explicit memory: episodic and semantic.
Episodic memory contains information about personally experienced events and is reported as a story. An example of episodic memory is recalling a birthday celebration. This type of memory includes the what, where, and when of an event, as...
Episodic memory contains information about personally experienced events and is reported as a story. An example of episodic memory is recalling a birthday celebration. This type of memory includes the what, where, and when of an event, as...
165
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
133
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
Nightmares...
133